Other Important Irregularities

Habiter, demeurer, and vivre all mean “to live.” Habiter and demeurer mean “to live” or “to dwell” and are used with a place. Habiter may or may not be followed by the preposition à.Vivre means “to live” or “to be alive.”

J'habite (á) Nice.

Je demeure à Nice.

I live in Nice.

Je vis à cent à l'heure.

I live in the fast lane.

Jouer means “to play.” When followed by the preposition á or any of its forms, jouer refers to playing a sport or game. When followed by the preposition de or any of its forms, jouer refers to playing a musical instrument.

Nous jouons aux cartes. (We're playing cards.)

Il joue du piano. (He plays the piano.)

Penser á and penser de mean “to think about,” but penser de is used only in a question that requests an opinion about something.

Á qui penses‐tu? (About whom are you thinking?)

Je pense à mon fils. (I'm thinking about my son.)

Je pense à lui. (I'm thinking about him.)

Que penses‐tu de lui? (What do you think of him? or What is your opinion of him?)